NEW DELHI : Talking tough, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said “Pakistan wants to disrupt peace in India by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities. The Indian forces had foiled their plans in 1971 and work to eliminate terrorism from its root is  underway. We have won in a direct war and the victory will be ours in indirect war as well.”

Describing the coordination among the Indian armed forces in the 1971 war with Pakistan as a major example of jointness and integration, he emphasized on  the importance of planning, training and fighting together.

Speaking at an event to mark the 50th anniversary of the war, also known as the Bangladesh Liberation War, Singh said that after its defeat in 1971, Pakistan was “continuously fighting a proxy war” against India.

India and Bangladesh are jointly marking 50 years of Bangladesh’s existence as a separate nation after breaking away from Pakistan. India recognized Bangladesh as an independent country.

Describing the war as among the most decisive after the two World Wars in the 20th century, Singh said that “Pakistan was born in the name of one religion (after the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947) but it could not remain one (united).”

“After the defeat of 1971, it is continuously fighting a proxy war. Pakistan wants to disrupt peace in India by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities. The Indian forces had foiled their plans in 1971 and work to eliminate terrorism from its root is  underway. We have won in a direct war and the victory will be ours in indirect war as well,” he said.

Praising the work done by the Indian armed forces in the 1971 war, Singh said the three services had “ensured that the credibility of India’s commitment towards peace, justice and humanity in the world community is maintained.”

The war was also an example of India’s democratic traditions, the minister said.